Asprey Reference Library

A charming desk library by Asprey of London with complete set of leather bound books. Circa 1921.

Dimensions: 20 cm/7⅞ inches (length) x 16.25 cm/6⅜ inches (depth) x 18.5 cm/71⁄¼ inches (height)

The miniature reference library featured in the Asprey range from the very late 19th century and for the first 30 years of the 20th century. The idea was the creation of one of Asprey's neighbours 'Houghton & Gunn', who were one of London's top stationers and book binders. The company was bought by Asprey at the turn of the 19/20 century. Various disciplines were used to prepare the elements of the volumes, with specialist publishers contributing in particular the atlas and gazetteer. The Gazetteer was the most regularly revised item and was usually dated, in this case for 1921.

The library contents consists of eight volumes:

English Dictionary
French-English Dictionary
Encyclopaedia
Atlas
Gazetteer
French and Latin Quotations
English Quotations and Proverbs
Classics and Mythology

This complete set in Quarter Roan Leather, blocked in gold, is presented in a brass bound polished Walnut book stand with an Asprey ivorine backplate. A superbly decorative desk accessory in its own right, the individual volumes, particularly the gazetteer, atlas, and quotations, provide entertaining snippets of wisdom and history.